Can someone help me with grass identification

1285 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Keeb22, May 6, 2018

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · May 5, 2018

See less See more

Save

1 - 7 of 14 Posts

I'm trying to learn about maintaining a healthy lawn after many years of just trying to keep it presentable but I'm not sure what type of grass I have to start. I believe it's zoysia but have some other people suggest it might be Bermuda. Full sun zone 8a Alabama. Thanks

Save

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 6, 2018

Ok from my little bit of research both grasses in my zone are treated similarly so fertilizing shouldn't be an issue. Is cutting it short good for the grass? Currently I cut it once a week and cut length is about 3-4 inches. If I should cut it shorter what steps should I take (just scalp it or mow it every couple days until desired length) and when would be the best time so it can recover? Thanks for replying

Save

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 6, 2018

Thanks for your response. So I guess Bermuda is my grass. It does scare me to cut that low but I do know the grass I have is very resilient. It has bounced backed many times from my mistakes like leaving yard debris sitting on it waiting for the city to pick up. First my mower would not be able to cut the current length in half with one pass due to thickness. So I would need multiple passes. Should I take up the clippings after each pass as I lower the mower setting? Does it matter that I just applied 2 bags of Milo after my last cut a few days ago front lawn is approximately 5000 sq ft.

See less See more

Save

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 6, 2018

I really have no idea. This lawn is at least 20 maybe 30+ years old. The house has been in my family for 60 years and I'm not sure if this is original or if it was sodded at at some different time. I can tell you this is a slow growing grass. I bagged my front maybe 5 years ago and dumped them in a pile in the backyard in about a 5 foot circle and now I have a 20x20 circle of this grass. I wish my whole yard was this grass type and maybe another 5-10 years it will fill in.

Save

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 6, 2018

Redtenchu said:
Spammage said:

Keeb22 I'm not sure I agree with the bermuda call and think you may in fact have a zoysia...

Click to expand...

+1

The last picture really looks like it could use a dethatching!

Yes I'm sure I need that. I took just a hard metal rake and did a 2x2 section and had enough what looked like clippings and dead grass to fill a paper grocery sack. When would be a good time to do this and the grass stay healthy?

Save

Keeb22

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 6, 2018

Redtenchu said:
Keeb22 said:

Yes I'm sure I need that. I took just a hard metal rake and did a 2x2 section and had enough what looked like clippings and dead grass to fill a paper grocery sack. When would be a good time to do this and the grass stay healthy?

Click to expand...

Now is the best time.

For a lawn that size, I would look into renting a powered dethatcher or purchasing one of the corded electric dethatchers online.

If price is an obstacle: Your rake will work fine, just do a small section each day until you've covered the entire lawn.

Ok. I'm on the fence my wallet says thatching rake $35 but my back says rent or buy. I can rent for $65 a day or buy for around $150. So should I mow low to begin with, rake up, power rake north/south then east/west, rake up thatch, then put something down to help heal the lawn or prevent weeds. I already applied some Milo a few days ago. Thanks for taking time to respond.

Save

1 - 7 of 14 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month